Las Vegashttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/las-vegas
en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:25:56 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:25:56 -0500The latest news on Las Vegas from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-cars-las-vegas-have-traffic-light-timer-on-dashboard-2016-12Some Audi cars can now tell you when the traffic light will change — and its a big move for the auto industryhttp://www.businessinsider.com/audi-cars-las-vegas-have-traffic-light-timer-on-dashboard-2016-12
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:15:04 -0500Danielle Muoio
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5846d281e02ba71e008b7a36-1066/undefined" alt="2017 audi a4" data-mce-source="Audi"></p><p></p>
<p>Audi just become the first automaker to successfully launch a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication system.</p>
<p>Select Audi cars — the A4, Q7, and A4 allroad models built after June 1, 2016 — now come with a timer that will tell you when the light will change when driving in Las Vegas. Audi worked with the Las Vegas government to link 1,000 traffic lights to the cars for the timer to work, Scott Keogh, president of Audi America, <a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000573829&amp;play=1" target="_blank">told CNBC</a> on Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>The timer is displayed in the instrument cluster behind the driver's wheel and counts down the seconds until the light turns green. The timer will disappear about three seconds before the light changes to discourage people from racing each other.</p>
<p>"This is the first time you’re going to have a car that’s actually connected to the infrastructure," Keogh told CNBC. "This is where the world is heading."</p>
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<p>Audi plans to expand the program to other cities throughout 2017 and beyond, but Keogh didn't elaborate when or where we may see the program next.</p>
<p>It's a big deal for the future of driving as it marks the first application of V2I communication. Many automakers are exploring using V2I, as well as vehicle-t0-vehicle (V2V), communication systems to collect data on traffic flow, accidents up ahead, and climate conditions.</p>
<p>V2I refers to cars talking to infrastructures like traffic lights or sensors embedded in roads to collect this data. While V2V, just like it sounds, refers to cars talking to each other about conditions ahead.</p>
<p>That kind of data can be used to inform human drivers about what to expect as they drive so they can make decisions in advance, like changing their route before hitting traffic.</p>
<p>But V2I and V2V can also help self-driving cars operate more safely in the future by giving them more information about their surrounding environment.</p>
<p>"The primary benefit right now is to the person driving the Audi," Keogh said. "Where it’s going to lead to is the information can go from the car back to the infrastructure.... We have good information about traffic flow and highways, but we really don’t have good information on traffic flow in inner cities.”</p>
<p>The 2017 Mercedes E-Class is the first car to come with a V2V communication system. The 2017 E-Class comes with a SIM card that can transmit road conditions ahead to a Daimler's backend server, which is then relayed to other E-Class cars on the road.</p>
<p>The V2V and V2I communication systems supported by select Mercedes and Audi cars is still limited in scope. But it speaks to how automakers are working to make cars more connected to the outside world.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-enhanced-autopilot-features-2016-11" >New Teslas will begin to get updated Autopilot in mid-December — here's what the system can do</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-cars-las-vegas-have-traffic-light-timer-on-dashboard-2016-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-r8-driverless-concept-car-china-ces-a8-e-tron-2015-5">The driverless electric supercar concept that Audi brought to China would impress Iron Man</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/adam-schefter-would-be-surprised-if-raiders-and-chargers-did-not-move-2016-12The Raiders and Chargers are reportedly not bluffing and are more set than ever to move to new citieshttp://www.businessinsider.com/adam-schefter-would-be-surprised-if-raiders-and-chargers-did-not-move-2016-12
Fri, 02 Dec 2016 14:57:31 -0500Emmett Knowlton
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57db1213077dcc1c008b63f0-1500/ap16253035697206.jpg" alt="Mark Davis Las Vegas Raiders" data-mce-source="John Locher/AP"></p><p></p>
<p>The biggest issue on the table this NFL offseason will be whether the Raiders and Chargers follow through on their bids to relocate. </p>
<p>According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, both teams should start packing their bags. </p>
<p>Schefter appeared on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYs-ifwkec&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=3m13s">The Dan Patrick Show" on Friday</a> to discuss a recent report from <a href="https://twitter.com/JimTrotter_NFL/status/804417383163043840">ESPN's Jim Trotter</a> that "barring an unexpected miracle" the Chargers would be headed up the coast to Los Angeles, and the Raiders would be on their way to Las Vegas.</p>
<p>Patrick asked what we should make of Trotter's report, wondering if perhaps there were ulterior motives behind whoever leaked this to Trotter — if, say, the news was leaked as a bargaining chip.</p>
<p>Here's what Schefter had to say:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I know people think that there are motives all the time behind stories, and as someone who traffics all the time in that world I just think that's cynical, jaded, and maybe sometimes accurate, but not in this particular case."</p>
<p>Schefter, the most well-sourced reporter around the NFL, continued on the subject and said that he, too, would be extremely surprised if either the Chargers or the Raiders did not follow through on their relocation efforts.</p>
<p>"My understanding from speaking to him and speaking to others is that barring anything unforeseen that San Diego plans to relocate to Los Angeles for next season, and the same is true of the Raiders with Las Vegas," Schefter said.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYs-ifwkec&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=3m13s">He continued:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Everybody keeps talking about how Oakland is trying to do something for [Raiders owner] Mark Davis — Mark Davis, say what you want about him, is very, very loyal. And he has given Las Vegas his world that if it would build him a stadium and do it as it said it would, then he would come. To me, the Raiders are going to Las Vegas pending the approval of the league."</p>
<p>Schefter here is referring to a recent development in Oakland, where former NFL player Ronnie Lott is <a href="http://theundefeated.com/features/ronnie-lott-leading-the-charge-to-keep-nfl-raiders-in-oakland/">reportedly working with city officials</a> in an effort to buy the parcel of land on which the Raiders' stadium is located. Schefter evidently doesn't buy this, and his point on Davis' loyalty feels like a big one. Plus, the Nevada state senate has already agreed to put public funds toward a brand new stadium, and at this point that plan is roaring ahead without anyone stopping it. </p>
<p>Just because the stadium in Vegas has been approved does not mean that the Raiders will get the approval needed to move, however. Schefter noted that league ownership could be in for a big fight over whether or not to send a team to the gambling capital of the country.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYs-ifwkec&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=3m13s">From Schefter:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Now that’s another issue and situation because I don’t think that everybody in the NFL office is too enthralled with that idea, even though it’s gained increasing momentum amongst certain NFL owners. I think there are certain people that are resistant to this idea, still, so there could be a little bit of a fight behind the scenes. But make no mistake about it: Mark Davis wants to, and intends to, take his team to Las Vegas. And that’s not leveraging."</p>
<p>The situation in San Diego is far less complicated. The Chargers have until January 15th to agree to join the Rams in Los Angeles, and after a ballot-initiative to put public money toward a new stadium in San Diego was voted down by San Diego residents, it's nearly impossible to envision a scenario in which the Chargers don't move to LA. </p>
<p>Schefter, in the end, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYs-ifwkec&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=3m13s">said</a> this: </p>
<p>"I think both are on their way to happening. I will be surprised if both don’t happen."</p>
<p><strong>You can watch Schefter's full interview with Patrick below:</strong></p>
<p><strong><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zvYs-ifwkec" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></strong></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-13-2016-11" >NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand heading into Week 13</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adam-schefter-would-be-surprised-if-raiders-and-chargers-did-not-move-2016-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-eats-diet-workout-routine-cleveland-nba-basketball-2016-11">Here's the diet and workout routine LeBron James uses to stay in insane shape</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/chocolate-slinkies-2016-11Chocolate slinkies are the latest sugary innovationhttp://www.businessinsider.com/chocolate-slinkies-2016-11
Tue, 29 Nov 2016 17:27:14 -0500Eloise Kirn and A.C. Fowler
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chocolate-slinkies-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/french-pastry-chef-makes-chocolate-straws-2016-11A French pastry chef puts his own spin on chocolate strawshttp://www.businessinsider.com/french-pastry-chef-makes-chocolate-straws-2016-11
Wed, 16 Nov 2016 17:23:45 -0500Stephen Parkhurst and Laura Bilash
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/french-pastry-chef-makes-chocolate-straws-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-flagship-location-2016-11Taco Bell has a new upscale restaurant that serves booze and sells bikinis ($YUM)http://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-flagship-location-2016-11
Mon, 14 Nov 2016 08:01:00 -0500Kate Taylor
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/58261ce846e27a55008b636d-2400/taco bell las vegas 1.jpg" alt="Taco Bell Las Vegas 1" data-mce-source="Taco Bell" />Taco Bell has a new location that&rsquo;s completely different from your&nbsp;average fast-food joint. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Monday, the Mexican fast-food chain debuted a new restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, which will serve as Taco Bell&rsquo;s flagship location. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The location is the chain&rsquo;s fourth Taco Bell Cantina, offering a&nbsp;more upscale menu that includes alcoholic beverages. However, the Las Vegas location takes the evolution of Taco Bell&rsquo;s brand a step further, with trendy architecture and and entire retail line.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span> Taco Bell CMO Marisa Thalberg told Business Insider that the flagship location attempts to give customers a chance to experience the "whole lifestyle of Taco Bell."&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I think when people feel something for a brand, they enjoy having a little slice of it, because...&nbsp;we think about brands as parts of our identity," Thalberg said. "When I&rsquo;m holding that cup of Starbucks, it says something&nbsp;about me."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here's a look inside&nbsp;the Las Vegas flagship location.&nbsp;</span></p><h3>The two-story restaurant is located on Harmon Corner on the Las Vegas Strip.</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/58261d6b46e27a18048b6388-400-300/the-two-story-restaurant-is-located-on-harmon-corner-on-the-las-vegas-strip.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>The menu is different than what you'd find at a typical Taco Bell location, and includes tapas-style shareables like nachos, quesadillas, and chicken fingers. Food is served in open baskets instead of foil or paper wrap.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/58261df5691e881b008b6529-400-300/the-menu-is-different-than-what-youd-find-at-a-typical-taco-bell-location-and-includes-tapas-style-shareables-like-nachos-quesadillas-and-chicken-fingers-food-is-served-in-open-baskets-instead-of-foil-or-paper-wrap.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>One of the most striking aspects of the location is the "freeze wall," with eight frozen drink taps. Customers have the option to add tequila, rum, vodka, whiskey, or spiced rum to create "Twisted Freezes."</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/58261ce846e27a55008b636d-400-300/one-of-the-most-striking-aspects-of-the-location-is-the-freeze-wall-with-eight-frozen-drink-taps-customers-have-the-option-to-add-tequila-rum-vodka-whiskey-or-spiced-rum-to-create-twisted-freezes.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-flagship-location-2016-11#/#the-las-vegas-flagship-is-the-first-taco-bell-location-to-sell-merchandise-like-t-shirts-bikinis-and-beach-towels-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hotel-workers-say-boss-isnt-fit-to-be-president-2016-11Trump hotel union says he's 'breaking the law' and isn't the great negotiator he claims to behttp://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hotel-workers-say-boss-isnt-fit-to-be-president-2016-11
Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:16:00 -0400Kate Taylor
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/581b41eeb28a6471188b5cd5-2400/rtss58l.jpg" alt="Donald Trump" data-mce-source="REUTERS/Mike Segar" data-mce-caption="Donald Trump pauses as he speaks to the audience at a campaign rally in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., October 13, 2016."></p><p>With the presidential election less than a week away, one group of employees at Trump businesses wants America to know they don't think their boss is fit to be president.</p>
<p>Since voting to unionize last December, employees at Las Vegas' Trump International Hotel say their famous employer has refused to acknowledge or negotiate with the union.</p>
<p>The Trump International Hotel employs more than 500 workers who clean rooms or prepare and serve food and drinks, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/30/us/trump-hotel-workers-campaign-for-a-union-over-the-bosss-objections.html">more than half of whom</a> voted to unionize almost a year ago.</p>
<p>"He says he's a big negotiator, but he doesn't negotiate with the workers," Elsabeth Moges, who has worked as a Trump International housekeeper in Las Vegas for four years, told Business Insider.</p>
<p>In Las Vegas, 95% of hotels on the Strip and in the downtown area are unionized, making Trump Hotel, which the candidate owns with billionaire <a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/phillip-ruffin/">Phil Ruffin</a>, an anomaly. Union workers in Vegas hotels make about $3 more per hour than workers at Trump Hotel and receive pensions and healthcare benefits, according to workers and the Culinary Workers Union, Nevada's powerful hospitality union.</p>
<p>This discrepancy, Moges says, and the desire for greater job security helped drive her and fellow employees to push for a union.</p>
<p>"We work very hard every single day, and we're not appreciated," she said.</p>
<p>Even before the vote to unionize, the Culinary Workers Union says the hotel attempted to block pro-union efforts. Trump Hotel, meanwhile, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/30/us/trump-hotel-workers-campaign-for-a-union-over-the-bosss-objections.html">has accused union supporters</a> of pressuring workers to vote for the union by saying they would be fired if they didn't vote for unionization.</p>
<p>The Trump Organization did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.</p>
<p>"He'd tried to do everything he could to intimidate the workers and scare them and get them to vote no," Bethany Khan, a Culinary Workers Union spokesperson, told Business Insider. "That's a little concerning for someone heading into Election Day."</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/581b456f362ca4892e8b6733-2400/ap_16302690688169.jpg" alt="Trump protest" data-mce-source="AP Photo/John Locher, File" data-mce-caption="Culinary Union members protest outside of the Trump International hotel in Las Vegas on Sept. 21, 2016."></p>
<p>After the move to unionize narrowly passed in December, the hotel argued that the vote had not been fair. In March, a regional National Labor Relations Board certified the union, a decision that was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/30/us/trump-hotel-workers-campaign-for-a-union-over-the-bosss-objections.html">upheld in July</a> by the NLRB's national headquarters.</p>
<p>Still, union officials say the Trump International has refused to negotiate with the union and continued to say that the group has not been properly certified.</p>
<p>"He's breaking the law," Khan said. "The hotel is operating illegally, as they're supposed to negotiate any of those changes at the hotel concerning employment and workers with the union."</p>
<p>In August, the union filed a complaint to the NLRB over a refusal to bargain, which is illegal. The NLRB has not yet issued a decision on the case.</p>
<p>Trump's refusal to negotiate with the union has created many opportunities for workers to speak out against the candidate.</p>
<p>"He says he wants to make America great," Marisela Olvera, a housekeeper, <a href="https://thinkprogress.org/breaking-donald-trumps-las-vegas-hotel-is-officially-unionized-b33dbc608599#.pgrvy95nl">told ThinkProgress in April</a>. "Well, he should start here in his own house, his own business. He always brags about how he has millions and millions and millions of dollars, but he pays his workers less than most in Las Vegas."</p>
<p>"Why doesn't he want to respect us and make time to negotiate?" Celia Vargas, another Trump Hotel employee, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-trump-vegas-union-clash-20160411-snap-htmlstory.html">told The Los Angeles Times in April</a>. "Like everybody, I'm confused."</p>
<p>By September, Trump Hotel had still refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the union after months of protests outside of the Las Vegas property. So the Culinary Workers Union launched a boycott of all Trump properties, encouraging supporters to stop spending money at Trump's hotels, golf courses, and other businesses.</p>
<p>In October, in the week of the third presidential debate, the union organized taco trucks to form a "wall" outside of the Trump International.</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BLwItZ0A0rd/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">#walloftacotrucks at Trump International Hotel #debate2016 #lasvegas</a>
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<p>The union endorsed Hillary Clinton, announcing its support for the candidate in July. The Culinary Workers Union has been aggressively canvassing in the state and has registered 34,000 of its 57,000 members to vote.</p>
<p>Nevada is currently <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-electoral-projection-trump-clinton-2016-11">considered a "toss-up" state</a> that could determine the results of the election. </p>
<p>The Clinton endorsement is one that many Trump employees — including Moges — stand behind. According to Moges, voting for Trump is "like going backwards." Clinton represents experience and a better future for families and children.</p>
<p>"I want somebody at the top who will listen" Moges says, both at Trump International and as president. "If you don't listen, how can you improve? He has to listen to the workers."</p>
<p>So far, she says, Trump has failed to do that at his own hotel.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/election-day-paid-time-off-2016-10" >Hundreds of companies are giving workers paid time off to vote on Election Day this year</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-hotel-workers-say-boss-isnt-fit-to-be-president-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-warns-himself-to-stay-on-point-donald-at-a-rally-in-florida-2016-11">Trump warns himself to 'stay on point, Donald' at a rally in Florida</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-could-vote-to-legalize-marijuana-on-november-8-2016-11Las Vegas could vote to legalize marijuana on November 8http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-could-vote-to-legalize-marijuana-on-november-8-2016-11
Wed, 02 Nov 2016 14:55:49 -0400Michelle Rindels
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5816d4955124c91509232841-800/got-bank-election-could-create-flood-of-marijuana-cash-with-no-place-to-go.jpg" alt="A variety of medicinal marijuana buds in jars are pictured at Los Angeles Patients &amp; Caregivers Group dispensary in West Hollywood, California U.S., October 18, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni" data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="A variety of medicinal marijuana buds in jars are pictured at Los Angeles Patients &amp; Caregivers Group dispensary in West Hollywood" /></p><p></p>
<p>LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Nevada already has legal brothels, round-the-clock casinos and a coy catchphrase declaring that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." If voters approve, the state could soon add another vice in the form of recreational marijuana.</p>
<p>A proposal on the Nov. 8 state ballot would legalize pot, and entrepreneurs hope its passage could someday allow the drug at Las Vegas' glamorous nightclubs and perhaps provide the framework for a future Amsterdam-style cannabis district.</p>
<p>"I really think this would be the third-largest market in the country," said Derek Peterson, whose company operates marijuana dispensaries called Blum. He predicts that only California and New York would offer a bigger customer base than Las Vegas and its 42 million tourists a year. "I think it should be able to fit in really well with the whole dayclub/nightclub thing."</p>
<p>Nevada has allowed medical marijuana since 2000, and Peterson sees recreational pot as an alternative for visitors tired of cocktails that can top $15 apiece and inflict hangovers. But before waitresses begin delivering high-grade marijuana at clubs along the Las Vegas Strip, weed proponents will have to win over not just voters, who narrowly support the initiative in polls, but a risk-averse casino industry.</p>
<p>The Nevada Resort Association came out against the measure, pointing to an opinion from gambling regulators that casino owners should avoid the marijuana industry because the substance remains illegal under federal law. Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson has bankrolled most of the opposition, pouring $2 million of his fortune into a campaign that raises the possibility that small children could become intoxicated from candy-like marijuana edibles.</p>
<p>In spite of its libertine reputation, the rigorously regulated casino industry is known to err on the conservative side to avoid scandalizing the middle-aged tourists who are its bread and butter.</p>
<p>"I don't know that this is a game changer in terms of tourism," Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association, said of marijuana's potential. "We're really known for other things. You may attract people or turn them off."</p>
<p>The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which promotes Sin City's amenities to the world, is neutral on the issue.</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57f461c357540c35218b4937-2400/ap_890972078280.jpg" alt="marijuana trimming trim trimmigrants" data-mce-source="Brennan Linsley/AP" data-mce-caption="In this Dec. 27, 2013 photo, employee Lara Herzog trims away leaves from pot plants, harvesting the plant's buds to be packaged and sold at Medicine Man marijuana dispensary, which is to open as a recreational retail outlet at the start of 2014, in Denver. Colorado is making final preparations for marijuana sales to begin Jan. 1, a day some are calling &amp;quotGreen Wednesday.&amp;quot" /></p>
<p>There's no solid state-sponsored research on how legal recreational marijuana has affected tourism in places that have legalized it, although both sides point to Colorado to make their case.</p>
<p>Pro-marijuana interests cite a state study that found Colorado set an all-time tourism record in 2015, capping a fifth year of growth. It's unclear how much of that is due to weed, and how much can be chalked up to other factors, such as good snow in recent years relative to competing ski states.</p>
<p>Marijuana opponents refer to a report from the Visit Denver tourism bureau that logged increasing complaints about panhandling and open marijuana consumption in the city's downtown corridor.</p>
<p>"Denver is losing visitors and valuable convention business as a result of these overall safety (or perception of safety) issues," the report said. "We fear not being able to brand Denver away from this growing reputation."</p>
<p>Nevada's ballot initiative would not allow municipalities to put blanket bans on marijuana, as Colorado does. But it would bar consumption in buildings that are open to the public and permit local governments to restrict the locations of marijuana dispensaries and related businesses. It effectively blocks people from growing their own by banning the practice within 25 miles of a licensed marijuana store.</p>
<p>Some of those provisions could be changed three years after passage. But even political leaders who are open to legalization say the embrace will not be immediate if voters approve the measure.</p>
<p>"I think it will be as much of a challenge for us as it will be a boon for us, because there's no place in the world like Vegas," said Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, whose urban district includes the Strip. "I think it's going to take a while to work it out."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a Nevada lawmaker who has always pushed the envelope on marijuana says he's requested a bill next spring that would allow Amsterdam-style pot coffeeshops and other places dedicated to public consumption. Democratic state Sen. Tick Segerblom envisions a pedestrian-centric outdoor entertainment district focused on giving visitors a new kind of "only-in-Vegas" experience centered around pot.</p>
<p>"It's somewhere you do things you wouldn't normally do," said Segerblom, who's so supportive of marijuana in Nevada that he sponsored a failed bill in 2015 to allow sick dogs and cats to use it. "Have fun, party, do things you wouldn't do at home. Take a picture and brag about it."</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/california-has-18-voter-initiatives-on-2016-ballot-2016-9" >California has a whopping 17 voter initiatives this year — on nearly every major hot-button issue</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-could-vote-to-legalize-marijuana-on-november-8-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-spot-massive-hole-sun-coronal-hole-video-2016-12">NASA just spotted a massive hole growing on the sun — here’s what it means</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-jones-oakland-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-11Jerry Jones calls Raiders move to Las Vegas 'pretty definitive'http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-jones-oakland-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-11
Wed, 02 Nov 2016 13:55:35 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/581a145d362ca486238b643b-1500/gettyimages-612051442.jpg" alt="Jerry Jones" data-mce-source="Thearon W. Henderson/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has doubled down on his support of the Raiders' relocation bid to Las Vegas, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jerry-jones-says-its-pretty-definitive-that-the-raiders-will-move-to-las-vegas/?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&amp;utm_term=NFL%20national%20newsletter%20MASTER%20LIST">telling a Dallas radio station</a> on Tuesday that he believes the move is "pretty definitive."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>In October, the Nevada state senate approved a&nbsp;<span>bill that would pledge $750 million in public money toward the $1.7 billion, 65,000-seat stadium.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span><span>Mark&nbsp;</span><span>Davis, the owner the Raiders, has pledged $500 million toward the stadium, while billionaire Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has pledged an additional $650 million.</span></span></p>
<p><span>But before the Raiders can pack their bags for Sin City, 24 of the 32 NFL owners must approve of the relocation. Jones, who&nbsp;</span>has long been a vocal supporter of having an NFL franchise in Las Vegas, is also among the most powerful owners in football.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here's what he had to say about the move (<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jerry-jones-says-its-pretty-definitive-that-the-raiders-will-move-to-las-vegas/?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&amp;utm_term=NFL%20national%20newsletter%20MASTER%20LIST">courtesy of CBS Sports</a>):</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span>"Really if you look at the history of teams moving, this is pretty definitive. There's a pretty bright line right there. They've provided for a team, the most funding that's ever been funded from third parties," Jones said. </span><span>"So that's about as strong, L.A. never really had that powerful of influence, I'll put it that way. Which is over $700 million of initial contribution from the state of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas. That's pretty strong. Vegas has a lot going for it. I think it's going to really have, a real, if you will, strong case to get an NFL football team. I know that Oakland, certainly, was approved to move earlier this year.</span></p>
<p>Jones' endorsement does not guarantee the move, of course. Roger Goodell has said he would like to see the Raiders remain in Oakland, and reports have suggested the majority of the NFL owners feel the same way. While gambling is often cited as the primary reason NFL owners want to stay out of Vegas, the fact that the Las Vegas TV market is significantly smaller than Oakland's is reportedly a big drawback, too.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Adelson, meanwhile, has offered mixed signals in his support of Vegas. Despite his initial pledge of $650 million, he recently told Reuters that he is willing to walk away from the deal entirely.</p>
<p>"I negotiated to bring in the Oakland Raiders, an NFL football team from Oakland, because they don't have a stadium there, that I would build a stadium and rent it out to the Oakland Raiders," <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-casino-mogul-adelson-says-no-certainty-over-023855232--nfl.html">Adelson said.</a></p>
<p>"They want so much," Adelson <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-casino-mogul-adelson-says-no-certainty-over-023855232--nfl.html">added</a>. "So I told my people, 'Tell them I could live with the deal, I could live without the deal. Here's the way it's gonna go down. If they don't want it, bye-bye.'"</p>
<p>In other words, it's still not yet a sure thing that a vote will even take place in January.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But one can never underestimate Jones, especially not after Stan Kroenke moved the Rams to Los Angeles. A lot still has to happen between now and January. For now, Jones' continued public support of Vegas is nothing but good news for Mark Davis.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/vikings-and-bears-nfl-mediocrity-2016-11" >The 'Monday Night Football' game exposed one of the NFL's biggest problems this year</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-jones-oakland-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jesse-ventura-salutes-colin-kaepernick-nfl-2016-11">Why Jesse Ventura salutes Colin Kaeperkick for his national-anthem protest</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-trash-can-nachos-2016-10A tower of nachos slips out of this trash canhttp://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-trash-can-nachos-2016-10
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:47:00 -0400Chelsea Pineda and Herrine Ro
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-trash-can-nachos-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-owners-not-sold-on-las-vegas-raiders-2016-10The Raiders don't have the votes yet move to Las Vegas and it reportedly has more to do with TV than gamblinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-owners-not-sold-on-las-vegas-raiders-2016-10
Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:41:00 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57db1213077dcc1c008b63f0-1500/ap_16253035697206.jpg" alt="Mark Davis Las Vegas Raiders" data-mce-source="John Locher/AP" /></p><p>With news on Monday that Nevada governor Brian Sandoval had o<a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/stadium/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-sign-raiders-stadium-bill-law-unlv">fficially signed into law</a> a&nbsp;proposal to allocate $750 million in public money toward a $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat football&nbsp;stadium in downtown Las Vegas,&nbsp;Mark Davis' bid to move the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas now faces one final hurdle: approval from NFL ownership.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Per NFL rules, 24 of the 32&nbsp;NFL owners will&nbsp;need to vote in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders in order to officially greenlight&nbsp;the relocation. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/10/18/the-raiders-may-love-las-vegas-its-far-less-clear-if-the-nfl-feels-the-same/">According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post</a>,&nbsp;those&nbsp;votes will be hard to come by.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Maske reported that a majority NFL owners are staunchly against moving the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas, and not &mdash; as has previously been reported &mdash; because of the potential dangers of having a team located in the heart of the gambling capital of the world. Rather, NFL owners do not like the idea of moving a team from a big TV market to a small one.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/10/18/the-raiders-may-love-las-vegas-its-far-less-clear-if-the-nfl-feels-the-same/">From WaPo:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&ldquo;I think in general we don&rsquo;t like to leave big markets for small markets,&rdquo; a high-ranking official with one NFL team said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s as big as anything. I think most people are not crazy about that.&rdquo;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">That person said it&rsquo;s &ldquo;too early to tell&rdquo; if such a relocation application would be ratified by the owners. A&nbsp;proposed Raiders&rsquo; move to Vegas would require&nbsp;24 votes in favor among the 32 league owners for approval.</p>
<p>Previous reports have suggested that when it comes to Las Vegas, NFL ownership will be divided between the old guard owners like the Rooney and Mara families, and the new-money owners like Jerry Jones. <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/19/raiders-have-work-to-do-on-getting-owners-to-support-move/">As Pro Football Talk noted,</a> it's curious that Jones has publicly expressed his approval of Vegas while those against it remain anonymous.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Davis can't officially file for relocation until the season ends, and even if he doesn't get the 23 additional votes that he needs, he could still attempt to move his franchise, just as his father famously did.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Another wrinkle in the Raiders' future home could reveal itself on election day. The Chargers, remember, still have the first option to join the Rams in Los Angeles if they cannot work out a solution to stay in San Diego. A new stadium in San Diego has been proposed, and&nbsp;the question of whether or not to contribute public funding will be on the ballot for San Diego residents on November 8. If the public funding is approved, the Chargers would stay in San Diego and the option to join the Rams in Los Angeles would pass&nbsp;to the Raiders.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For now, though, Davis sounds <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-owner-mark-davis-issues-strongest-statement-yet-on-potential-move-to-las-vegas-2016-10">completely gung-ho</a> on Las Vegas. Only time will tell if his fellow owners will eventually come&nbsp;around.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-belichick-ripped-microsoft-tablets-in-five-minute-rant-2016-10" >Bill Belichick went on a long-winded rant trashing the tablets Microsoft paid the NFL $400 million to use</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-highest-paid-players-by-position-2016-10" >The NFL's highest-paid players at every position, from quarterback to long snapper</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-owners-not-sold-on-las-vegas-raiders-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/vince-mcmahon-wwe-wrestling-territories-wcw-ted-turner-2016-11">The epic story of how Vince McMahon created WWE and conquered pro wrestling</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-the-biggest-career-gamble-this-casino-ceo-ever-made-2016-9A casino CEO shares the biggest career gamble he ever madehttp://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-the-biggest-career-gamble-this-casino-ceo-ever-made-2016-9
Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:25:00 -0400Áine Cain
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57d963898d3eae681d9b6d78-539-404/felix-rappaport-casino-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Felix Rappaport Casino"></p><p></p>
<p>It's not always easy to bet on yourself — even when you're in the casino business.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxwoods.com/default.aspx">Foxwoods Resort Casino</a> president and CEO Felix Rappaport recently discussed the biggest gamble he's ever made in his career with Business Insider.</p>
<p>Before taking the helm at Foxwoods two years ago, the industry veteran spent over three decades working in hospitality industry.</p>
<p>In the early 1990s, he was working for businessman Steve Wynn at the Mirage and Treasure Island.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He dealt solely with the hotel aspects of the resorts — never with the casinos.</p>
<p>Then, an interesting opportunity popped up in 1996. Rappaport was given the chance to run a resort casino for Station Casinos.</p>
<p>"So instead of just being responsible for the-hotel related departments like I had in the past, I was now in charge of all departments — from marketing, to gaming, to food and beverage and beyond," he says.</p>
<p>He took a chance and accepted the offer. The risk paid off. Today, Rappaport is running the largest casino resort in North America.</p>
<p>However, taking that first step was hard. He says it was difficult to leave Wynn's organization, where he felt comfortable and enjoyed his time.</p>
<p>Sometimes, however, it's important to venture beyond your professional comfort zone.</p>
<p>"It was a tough decision, but ultimately allowed me to broaden my skillset and my scope," Rappaport says.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wynn-changes-casino-game-rules-2016-7" >You probably didn't notice that Steve Wynn changed the rules of the games in his casinos</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-the-biggest-career-gamble-this-casino-ceo-ever-made-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-wynn-palace-casino-gambling-macau-china-2016-8">Steve Wynn is making a big bet on this new luxurious $4 billion casino in China</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-owner-mark-davis-issues-strongest-statement-yet-on-potential-move-to-las-vegas-2016-10Raiders owner Mark Davis issues strongest statement yet on potential move to Las Vegashttp://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-owner-mark-davis-issues-strongest-statement-yet-on-potential-move-to-las-vegas-2016-10
Fri, 14 Oct 2016 17:31:11 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57db121b077dcc67208b527b-1333/ap_16253035697206.jpg" alt="Mark Davis Las Vegas Raiders" data-mce-source="John Locher/AP" /></p><p>On Friday, the <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/14/nevada-assembly-musters-just-enough-votes-to-pass-stadium-bill/">Nevada Assembly voted and approved $750 million for a new NFL stadium</a><span>&nbsp;that is seemingly the last big hurdle to building a future home for an NFL franchise.</span></p>
<p>Afterwards, Raiders owner Mark Davis issued a statement that is his strongest words yet on a potential move, making it sounds like he is pretty confident that his team will eventually call Las Vegas home.</p>
<p>In fact, this statement sounds less like a negotiating ploy and more like "Vegas or bust!"</p>
<p><strong>"I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day, " said Raiders owner Mark Davis. "All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation."</strong></p>
<p><span>The bill passed by the assembly to approve the new stadium now needs to go back to the state senate to iron out the differences with the bill passed there. At this point, that appears to be a formality.</span></p>
<p><span>Meanwhile,&nbsp;the Raiders still must overcome their biggest hurdle in moving out of the Bay Area&nbsp;&mdash; approval from the other NFL owners.</span></p>
<p><span>Davis will need 23 of the other 31 owners to approve the move and at this point it is unclear how they will vote. On the surface there appears to be a division between the old-school owners who may still view Vegas as a place to be avoided, such as the Mara family (New York Giants) and the Rooney family (Pittsburgh Steelers), and some of the newer, more revenue-conscious owners, such as Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys).</span></p>
<p><span>Of course, even if the owners don't approve the move, that may not necessarily be the end of the Las Vegas Raiders. Davis, could still try to move his team on his own and then let the courts settle the differences later. Considering the contentious history between the Davis family and the NFL, one that saw Mark's father, Al Davis, fight the NFL in court on more than one occasion, that is not a scenario to be taken lightly.</span></p>
<p><span>No matter how this plays out, for now at least, Mark Davis is speaking like somebody who believes his team is moving to Las Vegas.</span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-highest-paid-players-by-position-2016-10" >The NFL's highest-paid players at every position, from quarterback to long snapper</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-owner-mark-davis-issues-strongest-statement-yet-on-potential-move-to-las-vegas-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/vince-mcmahon-wwe-wrestling-territories-wcw-ted-turner-2016-11">The epic story of how Vince McMahon created WWE and conquered pro wrestling</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-stadium-funding-las-vegas-senate-2016-10The Raiders' potential move to Las Vegas passed another major testhttp://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-stadium-funding-las-vegas-senate-2016-10
Wed, 12 Oct 2016 09:52:39 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/560e993c9dd7cc22008becdd-2400/ap_328800878119.jpg" alt="Mark Davis Raiders Owner" data-mce-source="Christian K. Lee/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>The Nevada state Senate&nbsp;on Tuesday voted 16-5 in favor of a bill that would pledge $750 million in public money toward the $1.7 billion, 65,000-seat Las Vegas stadium to&nbsp;which Oakland Raiders' owner Mark Davis is threatening to move his franchise.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php">According to the San Francisco Chronicle</a>, the bill will now go to the Nevada Assembly, which will meet on Thursday. If it is passed into law, the only thing standing between the Raiders and Las Vegas would be a&nbsp;vote from NFL owners. Should two-thirds of owners vote in favor of the Las Vegas stadium, Oakland would&nbsp;lose its football team.</p>
<p>Davis has pledged $500 million toward the stadium, and billionaire Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has pledged an additional $650 million. As the Chronicle explained, the $750 million in public funds would be paid for from bonds that would, in theory, be repaid with revenue from a hotel tax.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nevada state senators recognized that the bill was not perfect, but <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php">reportedly</a> voted to approve it simply because of the possibility that it would create jobs.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a Stanford economist blasted the proposal.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php">From the Chronicle:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Stanford economist Roger Noll, an expert on the economic impact of sports stadiums, called the deal the 'worst I&rsquo;ve ever seen.' Noll said the financial study underpinning the entire proposal is 'deeply flawed,' assuming one-third of the people who fill the stadium for Raiders games will be tourists who will spend more than three nights in Las Vegas.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"'Their financial welfare would depend on selling 22,500 tickets every single game to people following the visiting team,'" Noll said. "'There is no team in the NFL that comes anywhere near one-third of their fan base being tourists &hellip; You take away all that, you take away 75 percent of the economic benefit of the stadium.'"</p>
<p>As the possibility of the move to Las Vegas becomes increasingly likely, Oakland officials have offered no concrete plan to keep the Raiders.</p>
<p>Oakland Mayor&nbsp;Libby Shaff has refused to dedicate public money to a new football stadium. And&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php">as the Chronicle explained</a>, Oakland and Alameda County taxpayers are still paying off $95 billion in debt from the 1995 renovations to the Oakland Coliseum that were made in order to lure the Raiders from Los Angeles.</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57e2962fb0ef971d008b71ea-1500/gettyimages-607570374.jpg" alt="Oakland Raiders Fan" data-mce-source="Thearon W. Henderson/Getty" /></p>
<p>NFL owners could vote on the Raiders' relocation bid as soon as January.</p>
<p>Pro Football Talk <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/09/las-vegas-fight-is-looming/">reported</a> last week that owners are expected to be firmly divided on Las Vegas for a slew of reasons.</p>
<p><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/09/las-vegas-fight-is-looming/">From PFT:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"As the wheels continue to move toward a potential move, it&rsquo;s believed that more and more owners will ask tough questions about the wisdom of having players living in an environment where gambling is prevalent, where prostitution is legal, and where drug use is commonplace.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"The argument, as to the gambling, will be that plenty of teams are headquartered in cities where casinos are accessible. Still, there&rsquo;s no NFL team in a city where gambling is everywhere, in all forms and fashions including wagering on sports. With plenty of young players on every NFL team, the temptations will result in plenty of concerns about their friendships and associations in a town where all roads and walkways&nbsp;lead to a place where bets are made."</p>
<p>Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, perhaps&nbsp;the most influential&nbsp;of all NFL owners, has publicly expressed his support of a franchise in Vegas, while Giants' owner John Mara has said firmly that the issue of gambling makes Las Vegas out of the question. Jones and Mara are considered to represent&nbsp;the two factions of NFL ownership &mdash; Jones the new-money, and Mara the old guard. As we learned&nbsp;when Stan Kroenke successfully moved the Rams to Las Vegas, Jones is increasingly powerful.</p>
<p>And for as powerful as Jones is among NFL ownership, Adelson is undoubtedly more powerful within Nevada. Judging by&nbsp;the swiftness with which the Senate&nbsp;pushed this bill through, it's hard to imagine the Assembly voting it down.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-locker-room-2005-john-amaechi-2016-10" >Former NBA player says what he thinks would have happened if someone spoke like Trump in the locker room</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/raiders-stadium-funding-las-vegas-senate-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-mob-gambling-ties-national-football-league-secrets-2016-11">The secret history of the NFL's mob and gambling ties</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/vegas-hotel-waterslide-goes-through-shark-tank-2016-10A hotel in Vegas has a waterslide that goes through a shark tankhttp://www.businessinsider.com/vegas-hotel-waterslide-goes-through-shark-tank-2016-10
Fri, 07 Oct 2016 13:25:09 -0400Chelsea Pineda and Chloe Miller
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Wed, 05 Oct 2016 17:21:29 -0400A.C. Fowler
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Mon, 03 Oct 2016 10:39:00 -0400A.C. Fowler
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-roller-coaster-hangs-off-skyscraper-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/oakland-raiders-new-stadium-land-bid-could-be-game-changer-2016-9A new bid to buy the Raiders’ stadium and renovate it could be the key to keeping the team in Oaklandhttp://www.businessinsider.com/oakland-raiders-new-stadium-land-bid-could-be-game-changer-2016-9
Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:49:35 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57e2962fb0ef971d008b71ea-1500/gettyimages-607570374.jpg" alt="Oakland Raiders Fan" data-mce-source="Thearon W. Henderson/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>A group of investors tied to former Raiders player Ronnie Lott have put in a bid to buy the Oakland<span>&nbsp;Alemeda County Coliseum and the land upon which it sits, signaling a potential path to keep the Raiders from moving to Las Vegas.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/09/20/investment-group-offers-to-purchase-coliseum-keep-raiders-in-oakland/">The East Bay Times&nbsp;published details</a> from a letter of intent to purchase the parcel of land. The bid is currently&nbsp;<span>$167.3 million, or $250 per square foot.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/09/20/investment-group-offers-to-purchase-coliseum-keep-raiders-in-oakland/">From The East Bay Times:</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span><span></span></span><span><span><span>"The group proposes purchasing the Coliseum land &mdash; which&nbsp;includes Oracle Arena and other nearby properties &mdash; for $167.3 million, which accounts for bond obligations owed and prepayment penalties. The plan includes upgrading and replacing the site&rsquo;s sewer and septic systems, which infamously have backed up during games, spewing raw sewage into dugouts and team clubhouses."</span></span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/09/20/investment-group-offers-to-purchase-coliseum-keep-raiders-in-oakland/">As The East Bay Times noted,</a> one potential x-factor in the Lott bid is the Oakland A's, who have recently mulled a potential waterfront ballpark near Jack London Square. It would seem that the Lott group would want the A's to stay, but so far, neither side is commenting:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span><span><span><span>"Lott and&nbsp;A&rsquo;s co-owner Lew Wolff have been in contact, according to Wolff.&nbsp;A representative for Lott previously said he would not comment during negotiations."</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><a href="http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/09/20/investment-group-offers-to-purchase-coliseum-keep-raiders-in-oakland/">Sources also told The East Bay Times</a> that the city of Oakland "swiftly" rejected the initial bid. However, that a new group of investors are aggressively committed to purchasing both the land&nbsp;<em>and&nbsp;</em>the Oakland Coliseum itself is nevertheless&nbsp;an encouraging sign.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span>What's also encouraging is that NFL VP Eric Grubman attended the Raiders game on Sunday in Oakland, where he was joined local business leaders, and by Oakland mayor<span>&nbsp;Libby Schaaf.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>That same day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pumped the breaks on a potential move to Las Vegas, saying that he thought <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-goodell-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-9">there was still a solution in Oakland.</a></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span>Meanwhile, la<span>st week a&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/stadium/las-vegas-committee-sends-raiders-stadium-plan-governor">the South Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee voted&nbsp;unanimously</a><span>&nbsp;to recommend a financing proposal for a $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat stadium in downtown Las Vegas for the Raiders. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In order for the move to actually happen, Raiders' owner Mark Davis would need 23 other owners to approve it. That the Las Vegas stadium is backed by the billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson would certainly help Davis' cause.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>But with news of a possible solution to stay in Oakland, the tide may just be shifting &mdash; ever so slightly &mdash;away from Las Vegas.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/oakland-raiders-new-stadium-land-bid-could-be-game-changer-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nike-deal-cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-real-madrid-2016-11">Cristiano Ronaldo just signed a lifetime deal with Nike reportedly worth $1 billion — here's how he makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-goodell-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-9Roger Goodell just pumped the brakes on the Raiders' potential move to Las Vegashttp://www.businessinsider.com/roger-goodell-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-9
Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:10:04 -0400Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57a7c5e8db5ce951008b52fe-1500/roger goodell.jpg" alt="roger goodell" data-mce-source="Mike Lawrie/Getty" /></p><p></p>
<p>Roger Goodell is not yet sold on the Raiders' potential move&nbsp;from Oakland to Las Vegas.</p>
<p>Speaking from the Vikings' new stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday night, the NFL commissioner said a lot has to happen&nbsp;before any possible relocation.&nbsp;Last week, <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/stadium/las-vegas-committee-sends-raiders-stadium-plan-governor">the South Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee voted&nbsp;unanimously</a>&nbsp;to recommend a financing proposal for a $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat stadium in downtown Las Vegas for the Raiders.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>"There&rsquo;s still a lot that has to happen before we would get to that stage," Goodell said of the Raiders move, <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/19/goodell-taps-the-brakes-on-raiders-leaving-oakland/">according to Pro Football Talk.</a> "Recognizing that they came out of committee with a bill, but there&rsquo;s still a lot of work to be done to improve that recommendation."</span></p>
<p><span>Goodell added that organizations&nbsp;struggling to build new stadiums in their current location should look to&nbsp;the Vikings, who managed to construct&nbsp;a new stadium in Minneapolis to replace the Metrodome in large part because of the $500 million in public funding that the city&nbsp;provided.</span></p>
<p>"Well, you never want to see a community lose their franchise once, much less twice," <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/19/goodell-taps-the-brakes-on-raiders-leaving-oakland/">Goodell said.</a> "The Minnesota community did that in a great way. I think we can do it in Oakland. I think there&rsquo;s a solution there, but it takes the community to help identify it."</p>
<p>Considering that St. Louis has lost two football franchises (the Rams and the Cardinals), there's plenty of irony to be found in&nbsp;Goodell's quote. Still, it's noteworthy that Goodell is publicly&nbsp;advocating for the Raiders to stay in Oakland, especially as momentum appears to be moving in the direction of Las Vegas.</p>
<p>Raiders' owner Mark Davis would need 23 other owners to approve the move. In Goodell's mind, right now, that's still a long shot.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tom-brady-and-wes-welker-play-catch-2016-9" >Tom Brady recruited his former top receiver to help him stay sharp during his suspension</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-goodell-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-eats-diet-workout-routine-cleveland-nba-basketball-2016-11">Here's the diet and workout routine LeBron James uses to stay in insane shape</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/9-lucky-monuments-around-the-world-2016-99 lucky monuments around the world that people flock tohttp://www.businessinsider.com/9-lucky-monuments-around-the-world-2016-9
Fri, 16 Sep 2016 14:35:28 -0400Talia Lakritz
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57dc3b7add0895235e8b487a-1540/14078785966_b2d21209c8_k.jpg" alt="juliet verona statue" data-mce-source="M_Strasser/Flickr" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/m_strasser/14078785966/in/photolist-ns6sz5-aVeJpi-8oUu5o-zGhW1L-asfyfU-eg4Sa1-nH2swE-5dkXRZ-68F6BM-dmz5Nm-9kTHDz-fKRv5z-8jKYkQ-4WVcVM-68evD3-8umznX-6bdKkV-39D9R8-3nAC5E-nfydf-6c3VTj-yrwvk-9k1J1n-5adqsK-9tTU5h-6c3Yfw-qUHkug-ugHAq-8LyCaL-uegoK-AZezUU-639wcA-7smGaA-hMdAa5-3S8y4h-62kH23-7yUN6-4uk1KW-2GfLKw-66bJiW-akK8SU-e327J-9k1JuK-9k4N2q-8JD685-9k4MAG-9Sv32k-4CHV4D-H768gF-iuXHzz" /></p><p>Who needs four-leaf clovers when you have monuments that promise good luck to all who encounter them?</p>
<p>According to tradition, you've&nbsp;got to rub these statues just the right way for their mystical powers to take effect. We can't promise that every wish you have will be granted, but at the very least you'll have taken part in some quirky rituals dating back thousands of years.</p><h3>According to tradition, rubbing the Owl of Dijon on the Church of Notre Dame in France with your left hand will make your wishes come true.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57dc3b7add0895235e8b487e-400-300/according-to-tradition-rubbing-the-owl-of-dijon-on-the-church-of-notre-dame-in-france-with-your-left-hand-will-make-your-wishes-come-true.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>The current carving is a restoration, as vandals destroyed the original in 2011.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>At Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield, Illinois, rubbing the nose of Honest Abe's large brass bust is good luck.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57dc3b7add0895235e8b487f-400-300/at-lincolns-tomb-in-springfield-illinois-rubbing-the-nose-of-honest-abes-large-brass-bust-is-good-luck.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who also designed Mount Rushmore, created the bust. The original resides in the US Capitol building.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>To ensure that you'll return to Florence, rub Il Porcellino's snout in Italy.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57dc3b7add0895235e8b4880-400-300/to-ensure-that-youll-return-to-florence-rub-il-porcellinos-snout-in-italy.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>It's also good luck to put a coin in the boar's mouth and let it slide into the fountain.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/9-lucky-monuments-around-the-world-2016-9#/#touching-the-statue-of-st-john-of-napomuk-also-ensures-another-visit-to-prague-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-visitor-traffic-at-record-high-2016-9Las Vegas is boominghttp://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-visitor-traffic-at-record-high-2016-9
Thu, 15 Sep 2016 18:02:00 -0400Bill McBride
<p><span>Another update ... during the recession, I wrote about the troubles in Las Vegas and included a chart of visitor and convention attendance: </span><a href="http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2009/05/lost-vegas.html">Lost Vegas</a><span>. </span><br /><br /><span>Since then Las Vegas visitor traffic has recovered to new record highs.</span><br /><br /><span>As of July, visitor traffic is running 1.7% above the record set in 2015 and on pace to be 10% above the pre-recession peak.</span><br /><br /><span>And convention attendance has returned too. Here is the data from the </span><a href="http://www.lvcva.com/stats-and-facts/visitor-statistics/">Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority</a><span>.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57daac6c077dcc21008b6024-800/visitor.png" alt="visitor" data-mce-source="Bill McBride" />The blue bars are annual visitor traffic (left scale), and the red line is convention attendance (right scale).&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span>Convention attendance is up 14.4% from the same period in 2015, after being up 14.0% in 2015 compared to 2014.</span><br /><br /><span>At this pace, convention attendance will set a new record in 2016, and be close to 7% above the pre-recession peak set in 2006.</span><br /><br /><span>There were many housing related conventions during the housing bubble, so it has taken some time for convention attendance to recover. &nbsp;But attendance has really picked up over the last two years.</span><span><br /></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/calculated-risk-ten-economic-questions-for-2016-2015-12" >10 economic questions for 2016</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/las-vegas-visitor-traffic-at-record-high-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/preauricular-sinus-small-hole-above-ear-2016-11">Here's why some people have a tiny hole above their ears</a></p>